Rear-Facing Car Seat

For safety, it is very important that your child's car seat faces the rear until your child is 2 years old or almost 2. You may choose to start your child in an infant-only car seat (shown here) when your child is a newborn. This type of car seat reclines, typically has a handle, and can be removed from its base. This type of car seat only faces to the rear. As soon as your child has outgrown the highest weight or height allowed by the infant car seat's manufacturer, switch to a convertible car seat or 3-in-1 car seat. Face it to the rear until your child is 2 years old or is almost 2 and has outgrown the highest rear-facing weight or height allowed by that car seat's manufacturer. Secure the car seat in the back seat of your vehicle.

By

Healthwise Staff

Primary Medical Reviewer

Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics

Specialist Medical Reviewer

John Pope, MD - Pediatrics

Last Revised

January 22, 2013

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